Mmm... Talisker. And Lagavulin. And 18 year-old Macallan.

Look. I hope things work out for you, I really, really do. But comments like this on political sites, or in general discourse, boggle my mind, and remind me of the line in the Godfather, where "Johnny Fontaine" whines 'what can I do, what can I do' and Marlon Brando slaps him upside the head and says: "you can act like a Man, that's what you can do!!!"

We have become a nation of whiners.

I thought I was hot shixt when I graduated from college. Engineering degree. Employed in an industry that Wall Street said was going to be hot in the mid-80's. Easy street, right?

Then the shixt hit the fan. And I had a problem.

That's when I realized I had to take my career direction into my own hands, or forever be tossed and turned by external events beyond my control.

It's a long story, but with a stint at the best B-School in the country, and other various career stops, I don't have to worry about money or career anymore.

But I know what it took: the endless weekends spent in the library. The evenings in class. Basically investing my last saved dollar to pay my way through school+. Taking risk. Faith in self. Blah, blah, blah...

But my story is not special; its no different than many, many others who get ahead. In fact, I probably faced a lesser burden than many.

But there is a common theme: you have to go do it. Not talk about it. Not wait for a politician to deliver it. Go do it. Its worth it. You gain control of your future.

But so many people today in our society seem to feel entitled, or dependant on government. Government is to pave the way, they say. Things should be easy. For these folks, roadblocks that others view as simple obstacles along the way are "horrific crises." Crises that government is to come in and fix. I've got news. Waiting for these fix's, people, is like Waiting for Godot.

And you remember how that play worked out.....right?

There's a guy on this board (Verdon) who consistently points out the follies of government policy, and the error of government reliance. Please heed his words.

Tom - you'll enjoy your single malt or your Sauternes. But you need to go get it - yourself. Barry-O has a nice, flowery voice, but the truth is he's not going to deliver jack squat for you........including that Talisker, which I highly recommend.

Now that we’re one year deep in a recession and with things getting worse, it’s useful to think about is just exactly how we got here in the first place.

to:

I don't know squat about port, but yes, it does appear to be a British thing. I just like to finish the evening with a Sauterne and cheese, or a single malt and cheese.
My problem with 'Caly-forn-ya' reds right now is that pop culture wants fruit bomb wines. That's fine, but....
I'm a traditionalist. I think those wines are crude. Hence, Bordeaux. That said, St Emillion is producing "fruit bombs" in "garage" vinyards right now, especially given the blockbuster 2005 vintage. Worth investigating.

Now on one level I get where you are coming from (I love single malt, but I have not been able to pay for one in a year)(not because I couldn't, but because I knew I would pay for it later)

But really, I am just trying to figure out how to survive these next few years, and you all are speaking of the best vintage wine?

To quote Warren Buffett: "It is class warfare, and we're winning."

I hope they don't delete these posts, as they are clearly off topic......however.......

I don't know squat about port, but yes, it does appear to be a British thing. I just like to finish the evening with a Sauterne and cheese, or a single malt and cheese.

My problem with 'Caly-forn-ya' reds right now is that pop culture wants fruit bomb wines. That's fine, but....

I'm a traditionalist. I think those wines are crude. Hence, Bordeaux. That said, St Emillion is producing "fruit bombs" in "garage" vinyards right now, especially given the blockbuster 2005 vintage. Worth investigating.

More later..........but long live Bordeaux. Can I give the blogosphere an undiscovered and inexpensive, but quality, wine they must buy: 2005 Reignac.

Find it and buy.

My Bordeaux experiences are somewhat more humble though I used to be fond of Lynch-Bages and the occasional Lafite Rothschild. Dabbled with Sauternes, but couldn't find many other friends that liked to indulge in them with me. Switched about fifteen years ago to California Cabernets and Zinfandels. And Vintage Port. Lots of Vintage Port. Some outstanding releases coincided with my time in England. But that's a tale for another day.

We might be able to arrange that Bordeaux-fest.......

I'm picking up my back-buy of about 7 cases of 2000 this week, including reasonably priced Vieux Chateau Certan. The only "reasonably" priced Pomerol I've ever come by.

And then, I'm getting giddy, my futures purchases of 2005 are in. Some fine drinking........alas, 10+ years from now. The traditional assorted L&R bank reds aside, this includes a case of Suduiraut........

I'm crying now...

Whether $100K, or $10MM, or $100MM in rev, wouldn't it change perspectives if commentators here actually had their own capital at risk, and had to meet the payroll, and deal with the issues of business owners before pontificating about how to tax and spend and all the rest.

Everyone is bold, and an expert, when its other peoples money at risk............

Government regulations favor the big boys over the mom and pop operations from coast to coast.

Any body who has ever lived in a small town can attest to this. I live in a small town (>2000) the slightly larger small town up the road (5000+) gave Wal-mart the tax breaks they wanted, my small town has been struggling ever since (keeping their heads barely above water) I refuse to go to Wal-mart. They get the tax breaks... the M & P stores who have been here for a 75+ yrs? They get f*cked.

I'm a private equity guy who invests primarily in $50- $200MM revenue companies. That's small business.

Hmm..., guess I have a nanobusiness then. Happy to join you at Morton's for the Petrus though -- nudge, nudge... or we can do at Morton's in St. Louis.

I'm a private equity guy who invests primarily in $50- $200MM revenue companies. That's small business. So I think I have a stake in this commentary, and a legitimate point of view.

You tell us big corporate favoritism on the part of govt is a problem. Agreed. You cite regulatory problems etc......agreed. But those regulatory things trickle down from bigco directed regulatory initiatives. And the vast majority are Dem driven.

Now, you have described yourself previously as libertarian.........but you repeatedly defend Obama. Do you really think Obama is going to be friendly to small business? Is there anything in Obama's tax/regulatory DNA that suggests that small business will be benefitted by Obama? Many pols have promised it. No Dems have delivered. Higher cap gains taxes? How will that help? Higher carried interest taxes? How does that help? Myriad regulatory compliance issues that IBM can afford, but hurt the $70MM XYZ Widget Company, how does that help? Public union ratification voting? How does that help?

If, 5 years from now, I am wrong, you have a standing invitation to come up to Chicago and join me at Mortons, and I'll buy the Chateau Petrus. But I just don't think I will have to deliver on that.

Although I'd love to.

In fact, given the groundwork laid by FDR, Bush has expanded the number of regulations impacting the economy quite substantially. I don't doubt that Obama will continue this trend.

The latest trend here in Oregon is the assessment of system development charges or SDCs on new homes and businesses. Now of course Walmart can afford the hundreds of thousands of dollars they are forced to pay but can a small start up afford the tens of thousands of dollars? Not likely. Even small expansions of existing businesses are levied these fees. The result is predictable though lamented. Small businesses are at risk.

While it may take a book to describe how to fix this any small steps in the right direction should begin immediately.